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Mold Behind Pictures on Wall

The reason mold accumulates only behind pictures on the exterior walls is due to condensation caused by the interior of your home being cool with a relatively high humidity level and the exterior being warm during the summer months. It works in exactly the same way...

Vinegar in Toilets

FOR FLUSHING ISSUES Turn off the water to the toilet, flush the toilet to minimize the water in the bowl, and pour in a gallon of vinegar to remove scale and mineral deposits. Leave the vinegar in the toilet for 24-48 hours. This may improve the flushing. The goal is...

Insulating a 1950s Brick Home

I would automatically assume that there is probably not any insulation in the walls. If there is, it is probably vermiculite granules which settle over time, leaving a large void at the top of the walls. This was somewhat common in that era. The easiest way to see...

Plumbing Do Not Use Muriatic Acid

Q: Is Muriatic Acid safe to use regularly to clean pipes? A: We at Mosby Building Arts work hard to share our knowledge so misguided advice like this can not cause damage to you or your home. Unfortunately, orange vest experts seldom call on the Mosby Blue experts for...

Sewer Vent PVC Standpipe in the Yard

This standpipe is in the yard for maintenance purposes and supplying air into the sewer pipes for free flowing reasons, and with modern plumbing practices it is normal for it to be made from PVC. Its use is for having the pipe cleaned or snaked from outside the home...

Insulation Solar Attic Blanket

We are not believers in this method of insulation. It has been done for decades in various forms (it began as a foil-like material) and always delivers poor results. You will get far better performance from a blown cellulose material and doing an energy audit to...